A Hearty Lasagna for the Fast
The Nativity Fast is upon us.
This season has a quiet way of reshaping our daily life as we prepare for the birth of Christ. The days grow dimmer and colder. The meals become simpler and humbler. And slowly, the heart is taught to hunger for Christ more than for fullness.
When it comes to food, ascetical simplicity becomes the rhythm of the home. And let’s be honest: eating more simply is a challenge. Cooking something delicious and straightforward, especially when ingredients are limited (due to the fasting restrictions), can feel even more challenging.
In our home, the fast always draws us back to the same handful of dishes. They are unpretentious, familiar foods that gather us at the table, steady us, and make room for prayer. There is a beauty in returning to the ordinary, and I am grateful for how repetition can quickly shape the soul.
Over the past day or so, a few women have reached out to ask for this recipe. So here it is, for anyone looking for a simple and nourishing meal during the fast. Thankfully, it freezes and reheats beautifully, bringing a quiet sense of familiarity and stability to this non-indulgent season.
Recipe adapted from Nora Cooks: The Best Vegan Lasagna
This recipe is written in its simplest, most budget-friendly form for the Nativity Fast. Review notes below for other additions/options per your preference.
Ingredients
-1 cup dried red lentils
-2 25-ounce jars of marinara sauce
-3 cups of spinach
-2 medium zucchinis
-1 box of lasagna noodles (oven ready)
-2-3 cups of vegan cheese
Instructions:
- Cook red lentils
- 1 cup of lentils and 3 cups of water in a pot, and bring to a boil. Simmer for around 20 minutes. Drain, add back to pot, and stir in marinara sauce.
- Special note: This may seem like too much marinara sauce, but using less will result in a drier lasagna.
- Roast vegetables
- Cut the zucchini (or any veggie you have on hand) lengthwise in half, then slice it thinly. Place on a baking sheet. Sprinkle salt over the top, then place in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown.
- Assembly
- Assemble in layers (spread evenly), starting with lentil marinara, top with 4-5 lasagna noodles until pan is completely covered, then one layer of zucchini and spinach, then cheese. Repeat steps: marinara, lasagna noodles, layer of zucchini and spinach, cheese. Final layer: lasagna noodles, marinara sauce, and cheese.
- If baking right away, cover with foil and place in the oven at 350°F for 25 minutes. Remove from oven to uncover; continue baking for an additional 20 minutes. Continue baking until the cheese is melted and the noodles are soft
- Let lasagna cool for 10-15 minutes before cutting or serving.
- If freezing, let the lasagnas cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap – there should be NO air in between the plastic wrap and the food. (Let the wrap touch the food as this helps prevent freezer burn) Then cover with the lid or aluminum foil. Place in freezer. When ready to cook, thaw in the fridge overnight and bake at 350 until warmed throughout.
- Enjoy
Optional add ins:
-Add a tofu or cashew-based ricotta for a creamier lasagna.
-Sprinkle nutritional yeast along with cheese layers for a cheesier flavor.
-Sub in other vegetables to use up what you have on hand or to make a thicker veggie layer: mushrooms, broccoli, squash, bell peppers, etc would all work well. Just ensure to roast or saute them before adding to the lasagna for the best texture.
-If not observing the ‘no-oil’ aspect of this fast, drizzle oil over vegetables to be roasted per your usual method.
Nutritional Notes
-Adding Nutrition Yeast: boosts B Vitamins (B12, B1, B2, B3, and B6) and adds protein as nutritional yeast is a complete protein on its own.
-Adding a tofu or cashew ricotta will also increase protein content, making this a more filling and blood sugar friendly meal.
A Closing Thought
The Nativity Fast is a gentle clearing away of excess so that Christ may be born in the hidden places of the heart. Simple meals like this remind us that fasting is not about deprivation but about making room: room at the table, room in the schedule, room within the soul.
If this kind of content is helpful, Floralegia will continue sharing homemaking, fasting, and domestic church reflections in the coming months. Thank you to those who reached out. It is a joy to share what nourishes our home during this holy season.
